Enos Jones and Merry Benson parks are both next to the Turnpike and there are no buildings to block any contaminants to blow into the park. My kid wont pick up dirt from the sidewalk and put it in his mouth bc I am holding his hand. The same can't be said for a public park playground. Are they dusty? Of course. but you don't expect to have chipped lead paint in the the park playgrounds. I was seriously considering the Hamilton House to rent at since I was actually thinking how easy it would be to have my kid play across the street.

I understand the need for concern and cleaning the park; however, the parks don't fall directly under the highway so the material falling is drifting to the ground before it lands. I have a hard time believing this debris is only collecting in these parks. The Angie Dickinson's High School grounds are just as close and some residences as well where debris could collect on rooftops and outside space. This a concern for the whole are and not just the parks.

It's really sad. PS#5 Kids have seen their park closed a 2nd time due to lead contamination. These kids constantly have to live with this. And yet, they manage to cope and exceed expectations. The 4th and 5th graders had the highest PARCC scores in the district. And now the Middle School kids won $20,000 in the national Samsung Technology Contest. These kids deserve the best!

Support our kids at PS#5 and tweet #samsungsolve #samsungsolveps5 so that they can win an additional $80,000.

They are in close competition with East Greenwich High School in this social media contest where only the 15 finalists can compete.

I think you are right. I remember something about daycares and being close to a park. I think if they are within certain number of feet, they don't need their own private outdoor playground otherwise MUST have an outdoor playground as mandated by the State.

It might. The state generally requires a certain amount of outside space for a daycare to be licensed. Strange that this requirement doesnt seem to apply to publuc schools... Anyone know if there is a requirement for "green space" for public schools?

That video is outrageous! Could be asbestos, pcbs, lead, who knows what!!! This needs to be seen by all city state feds! Its even more egregious as this is the only outside playspace for the entire ps5 school.

The state can clean it up, but what will they do to make sure the contamination doesnt happen again? Mary benson (the only outside playspace for ps 5) was just reopened a year ago after a complete renovation due to previously discovered lead contamination. was at the meeting discussing the closure years ago. Residents asked the city official where the lead cane from. He nentioned it could be coming from the turnpuke but they werent sure. Once again, another example of where a serious problem is known about, but nobody is making sure the problem is fixed. Slap a bandaid on it....i really credit Fulop for taking action on this after it was discovered again, but there needs to be heavy pressure on the state to come up with a real solution - not just netting.

Netting seems hardly the answer as paint chips could easily pass through, especially in bad weather, and continue to contaminate.

The Hudson Regional Health Commission Thursday found lead paint chips -- believed to be from construction on the New Jersey Turnpike Extension -- at the park used regularly by students at School 5 and the park closing was announced.

Morrill said the latest discovery comes after the city "proactively" sent out inspectors to make sure no other public area were impacted.

The playing areas will remain closed pending cleanup from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Morrill said.

A request for comment from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority was not immediately returned.

Morrill said cleanup is expected to begin both parks tomorrow or Tuesday, depending on the weather.